Last week, the French national assembly passed a bill
requiring cameras in all slaughterhouses. Only four opposed the measure, while
28 voted in favor of it.
The move comes after the release late last year of shocking
undercover video by the French animal rights group Association L214. The footage reveals pregnant cows being
stunned and chained before having their throats cut.
You can see the cows struggling to get free as they bleed
out. As slaughterhouse workers cut into a still-moving cow to start processing
the meat, you see them cut out the uterus. From there they slice in and remove
the fetus of a calf and then throw the baby into the garbage.
Watch here:
Politico
explains:
If passed, authorities would install video cameras in all areas of slaughterhouses where live animals are handled, including during transport, stabling and stunning. Footage would be held for one month and be viewable only by veterinarians or animal-welfare inspectors.
While it still needs to pass the senate, this groundbreaking
bill would deter egregious acts of animal cruelty and facilitate prosecution of
animal abusers.
This move would do little, however, to alleviate suffering for
the countless animals subjected to standard meat industry practices, including
routine mutilations and extreme confinement.
The best thing compassionate people can do to protect
animals from needless suffering and neglect is to leave meat and other animal
products off the menu.
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